Microlighters

After struggling with radio communications where I could hear others but any where further than a few meters away others couldn't hear me I found the fault in my antenna

see the attached pic. The antenna is connected to the plane by a BNC connector. Screwed into this BNC connector is a plastic section, connected to a metal cone, which in turn is connected to the whip portion of the antenna, fastened by an allen key. Extending from the metal portion above, through the plastic section is the center pin you see in the middel of the BNC. This pin has snapped off. I believe this happened at the time when months ago that other plane collided with mine. (http://microlighters.co.za/viewtopic.php?t=2087) I should have checked it then but didn't

Can anobody tell me where I can source the section depicted in the dotted box. I don't want to have to rerun the cabling for a new antenna that doesn't use the BNC connector. Alternatively, where can I source a new Antenna that uses a BNC connector (most antennas have a permanently connected coax section at this side and a BNC at the radio section)

Sir Morph Da Boss,

Why not do away the BNC at the antenna end? All you need to do is get a 1mm copper wire soldered to the inner coax wire and connect to antenna at the grub screw. Insulate this wire with heat shrink, pull the coax screen back over and put heat shrink over both.

Your antenna and radio “won’t know the difference” and you could make it quite neat.

Walla – good comms again.

No problem

Either RF Connectors who have an office in Cape Town, Mantech, Electrocomp, Electronics 123 (Pretoria), Two way radio warehouse (Cape Town), Communica (Midrand) or failing that give me a call or if you wish to pay RS Components !!. RF Connectors are my agents and sell our security equipment, they stock absolutely everything...MDs name Sam McCrory..Sam@rfcable.co.za I am sure that will definitely fix you up...

eish Zulu1

Hi Morph

Contact Spectrum in Cape town they will be able to help the number is 021 551 5800

Regards Henry

Sir Morph,

Do away with the BNC at the antenna. Just another connection to let you down - maybe cost you half a Db as well.

Will phone you later.

Cheers.